ORIGINAL MEMBERS. 



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followiiig closely the medical advice given him his efforts 

 were so far successful that he may be said to have enjoyed 

 the quiet life he led in the old family-house at Northrepps, 

 near Cromer. Though his bodily strength gradually failed, 

 he was only seriously ill for a few days before he calmly 

 expired. 



In the foregoing remarks the ornithological aspect of 

 Gurney's life has^ as is here fitting, been chiefly dwelt upon. 

 It must be added that at one time Fishes were as favourite 

 au object of study with him as Birds, and in a general Avay 

 he had a great taste for every branch of Zoology. As an 

 antiquary also he was possessed of no inconsiderable know- 

 ledge. But more than this : it would be wrong to omit 

 reference to his bountiful generosity, which not only shewed 

 an extraordinary kindness of heart, but was bestowed with a 

 degree of discretion and retiring modesty that doubled its 

 utility to the recipients. The loss, through the failure of 

 the mercantile house in which he was concerned, of the vast 

 income that he once enjoyed certainly made no difference 

 iu the liberality of his disposition, though it lessened the 

 amount he had for distribution, and caused it to be 

 administered with even less ostentation. But among all 

 qualities that he possessed, perhaps a placid temper was the 

 most characteristic. To it may possibly have been due 

 some of his misfortunes, but it certainly enabled him to 

 preserve the mens cequa in adversis. — A. Newton. 



